The Galey Family Story
The Legacy of a Family Farm
The fertile lands of Saanich became a thriving agricultural community, with upwards of 100 farms from the late 1800s to the 1960s.
Today, only a handful of farms remain.
Don & Mary, 1939
In the late 1930s, Don and Mary Galey acquired 50 acres of farmland, making them the 9th permanent settlers of Cordova Bay. They played a vital role in founding Cordova Bay, actively contributing to the development of essential community institutions such as the school and church.
Initially, they established a small dairy on the property and personally delivered milk using a horse and wagon.
And so it grows…
The Galey family expanded their operations in the late 1940s, clearing land by hand. The trees and stumps were huge. It was hard work, but had to be done to create the fields to grow crops for the local market.
In the 1960’s, Don and Mary sold the dairy and started an egg farm.
Agricultural Revolution
Farming was undergoing dramatic transformations in the 1950’s, and Galey Farms was no exception. Mechanization was becoming essential for farmers to keep up with production. In 1952, Don and Mary bought their first John Deere tractor to work their fields.
Education is key
Even 50 years ago, local residents were becoming increasingly detached from the origin of their food. Galey Farms recognized this early on, and in 1973 started farm tours for school children. By introducing children to farming, they learned not only valuable lessons about where their food came from, but the benefits of eating fresh and healthy produce, and how to care for animals and the environment.
